Game apparatus



' H. E. FOURCHER.

GAME APPARATus, FILED JULY 11. 192] Patented Fang, i923,

GAME nrrnnn rus.

Application filed July 11, 1921. Serial No. 488,818.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HARRY E. FOURCHER, a citizen of the United States, residing at riugusta, in the county of Richmond and State of Georgia, have invented a new and useful Game Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to practicing or exercise devices to be used in batting practice. v

The primary object of the invention is to provide a device of this character which will move a ball through the air in a manner similar to that in which a base ball moves, suitable means being provided to retain the ball in proximity to the machine throwing the ball.

A further object of the invention is to provide novel means for controlling the n'iovcn'ients of the ball to change the lovation of the same, making it more ditlicult for the batter striking at the ball.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed, may be made within the scope of what is claimed, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Referring to the drawing 2- Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a device constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a front clevatioual view of the same.

Referring to the drawing in detail, the device includes a tubular body portion 5 having the feet 6 by means of which the body portion may be held in an upright position, there being provided a standard 7 spaced from the body portion 5 and connected thereto as by means of the horizontal bar 8.

On the standard 7 is mounted a seat 9 to provide a rest'for the operator while he is manipulating the machine, the seat 9 being arranged in such position that the operator may efliciently operate the mechanism to control the movements of the ball, forming a part of the mechanism.

Mounted to revolve in the base 5 is a pipe 10 on which is mounted a beveled pinion 11,

which beveled pinion 11 transmits rotary movement to the pipe 10, and as shown this pipe 10 has connection with a horizontally disposed pipe 12 as by means of the elbow 13.

The base is clamped to a support 14 as by means of the U bolts 15, there being provided a bearing 16 disposed at the upper end of the support 14;, which bearing accommodates the pipe 10 to permit the same to revolve freely. Secured to the support 14 is a stub shaft 1'? which stub shaft provides a support for the beveled pinion 18 which is in mesh with the beveled pinion 11, the operating handle which has connection with the pinion 18 for rotating the same, being indicated at 19. i

Extending through the pipe 10 and right angled. pipe 12, is a flexible member 20 which may be in the form of a rope or the like, one end of the flexible member 20 being disposed adjacent to the operator, so that the operator positioned on the seat 9 may grasp the lower end of the flexible member 20 to draw the same through the pipes 10 and 12, or retrieve the flexible member by slackening the same.

Secured on the free end of the flexible member 20 is a ball 21 so that when the pipe 10 is rotated as by means of the beveled pinions 11 and 18, the ball will be swung through the air. On the opposite end of the flexible member 20 is a ball 22 which is adapted to contact with the lower end of the pipe 10 to prevent the ball 21 from drawing the flexible member through the pipe as the same is being swung through the air by centrifugal force;

In the use of the device it is contemplated to position a batter in proximity to the device whereupon an operator seats himself on the seat 9 and rotates the arms 10 and 12 and consequently revolves the ball 21. The batter swings the bat in an endeavor to strike the ball. It is obvious that when the ball is struck, the ball is retained by the machine, whereupon the machine is again operated.

The operator may, by a pull on the flex ible member 20 which extends through theopening 21 vary the distance between the ball 21 and free end of pipe 12.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed. as new is i- In a device of the character described, a

base, a pipe supported by the base and having 21 right angled end, a flexible member extending through the pipe and carrying a ball at each end thereof, means for rotating 'he pipe to cause the ball at one end of the flexible member to be threwn in 2!, circular path by centrifugal force, the ball at the 0pposite end. of the flexible member adapted to contact with one end of the pipe to regulate the path of travel of the first mentioned 10 ball.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing us my own, I have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

HARRY EDKVARD FOUR-CHER. \Vitnesses M. MCANALLY, D. N. FOUROHER. 

